Hosea Owuor, a trader in Kisumu, says he has been doing good business selling T-shirts with US President Barack Obama’s pictures ahead of his trip to Kenya. PHOTO | TONNY OMONDI
The imminent visit by US President Barack Obama has generated a lot of bustle, with preparation programmes in Nairobi expected to cost the country millions of shillings.
In Western Kenya, emotions have similarly hit a crescendo with traders out to cash in on the unique opportunity. This will be Mr Obama’s fourth visit to Africa during his two-term presidency but the first time he is coming to Kenya.
Local artists are busy producing paintings and drawings of the US President, complete with his election campaign slogan ‘‘Yes we Can’’ and other philosophical quotes.
Hotels in Western Kenya are also looking forward to increased bookings as the great homecoming of the “son of the soil” nears, even though a visit to Siaya has not yet been announced. In Kisumu, Mr Hosea Owuor is busy printing T-shirts, caps and other items in preparation for Mr Obama’s visit on July 25 for the 2015 Global Entrepreneurship Summit in Nairobi.
Mr Owuor, who sells similar items for Gor Mahia fans as well as individual orders, said he had already sold over 400 pieces in three weeks, nearly three times in average monthly sales.
Some of the T-shirts and caps bear messages like “Siaya… It is here that my story begun” while others are emboldened in dholuo with words such as ‘‘Baba asewuok abiro dala, (Father, I have left US and Iam coming home).
“Immediately there was a confirmation that Mr Obama would finally visit Kenya I took up the idea to diversify my branding business using his name,” said Mr Oduor. Mr Martin Obonyo, another trader, sells accessories like belts and sunglasses which, just like Mr Owuor’s caps and T-shirts, also bear an “Obama” tag.
“Everyone is so excited that he will finally visit Kenya, that is why we should welcome him in the best way possible,” he said.
“We are also using the opportunity to market our businesses for fast money.” Both men said that even if Mr Obama fails to travel to his ancestral home in Kogelo, locals will buy their branded items and travel to Nairobi to “welcome their son.”
As the traders prepare to make a quick buck, the Treasury made a last minute review of the 2014/15 Budget partly to include millions of shillings to be spent on Mr Obama’s visit, highlighting the amount of activity around his visit.
The Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), where the summit will be held, has for instance received an additional Sh300 million for refurbishment and security enhancement.
